Thanksgiving Travel Forecast 2022: Best Times To Leave Puget Sound

SEATTLE — If you’re among the estimated 54.6 million Thanksgiving travelers this year, timing your departure from YOUR METRO can make the trip less stressful.

The auto club AAA said in its Thanksgiving travel prediction released Tuesday that nearly 49 million Americans will travel by car during the long weekend, which for travel purposes is Wednesday-Sunday, Nov. 23-27. Thanksgiving Day is on Nov. 24.

AAA’s data partner, Kirkland-based INRIX, expects severe congestion in U.S. metro areas — especially around Seattle, Atlanta, Chicago, New York City and Los Angeles — with some drivers experiencing more than double the amount of time stuck in traffic during peak travel times.

Other busy metros are Boston, Detroit, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

Here are the potential trouble spots around Seattle and when they’ll be the busiest:

• Most congested corridors: I-5 South & WA-18 to WA-7
• Increase over typical traffic volumes: +87%
• Busiest timeframe: Wednesday, Nov. 23 (4:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.)

Here are a few other potential trouble spots Wednesday:

Interstate 5

• South:
  • Exit 142B to 133 (+86%)
  • Exit 182 to 164 (+62%)
• North: Exit 168B to 182 (+30%)

Interstate 405

• South: Exit 18 to 6 (+59%)
• North: Exit 2 to 9 (+32%)

To avoid the most hectic times, travel early in the morning on Wednesday or before 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Avoid traveling between 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

In general, the best and worst times to be on the road are:

• Wednesday, Nov. 23 — worst times,1 a.m.-8 p.m.; best times, before 8 a.m., after 8 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov 24 — worst times, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; best times, before 11 a.m., after 6 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 25 — worst times, 4-8 pm.; best times, before 11 a.m., after 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 26 — worst times, 4-8 pm.; best times, before 2 p.m., after 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 27 — worst times, 4-8 p.m.; best times, before 11 a.m., after 8 p.m.

This year is expected to be the third-busiest for Thanksgiving travel, approaching 98 percent of pre-pandemic levels, since AAA began tracking it in 2000.

Related: WA Thanksgiving Travel: Busy Freeways, Crowded Flights & Ferries

Although most will travel by car, about 4.5 million Americans plan to fly to their Thanksgiving destinations, an increase of 8 percent — 333,000 more travelers — from last year. Thanksgiving air travel is expected to be within 99 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

It’s a good idea to leave for the airport early. Long lines are likely at TSA checkpoints and, “if possible, avoid checking a bag to allow for more flexibility if flights are delayed, or you need to reschedule,” AAA said.

The number of people who are traveling by bus or train or taking a cruise is up by 23 percent from last year, reaching 96 percent of the 2019 volume.